While wondering the Hall one day...

[Deleted]

Leonardo was wondering through the hall thinking.
Though it had been a month ago, Estalla's death was still fresh on his mind. Not that he really cared for her, or even liked her all that much, but her tolerated her. As he tolerated most of the court. He got was he wanted from it's lady's, and that's all he really worried about.

[Kender Bard]

As the audience hall still held other milling patrons - such as Leonardo - Mary had decided to grace the court. She was not by any means a high-profile courtier; she'd come late into the game as it were, already married and with children. It was through her husband's sudden increase in revenue that she felt she was entitled to the lofty opinions that courtiers generally bandied about while in the audience hall. And nice clothes of course.

Mary now had in her possession a juicy piece of gossip which was the courtier equivalent of a golden nugget and she was eager to share it to the first ear she found. Spotting Leonardo, she bustled over, giving a small wave. "Hello there - ah I seem to have forgotten your name, though you look familiar. I'm sure I've seen you about. I'm Mary; Mary McKay actually, how do you do?"

[Deleted]

Leo stoped and turned to the woman. Forgot my name? Is she serious? Leo thought to himself, feeling slightly insulted. "Leonardo Valquez," He replied with a nod of his head. "I'm well. And yourself Mary?" The young fire asked of her.

[Kender Bard]

"Oh, well, dreadful," she said with emphasis, and her smile was abruptly wiped. "I just found out that there's been another murder! Not another courtier, thank the Forces, but I just got done consoling a friend of mine on the palace staff who was in tears - tears I say - over the death of one of their own. The royal cook has been murdered in a grisly fashion. She confides in me that they think it's the same man who did poor Estella in."

[Deleted]

" I see. " Leo said half heartedly as be thought. "Just goes to show whoever is behind this doesn't care about status." He mused out loud. " I wonder who he is really. I mean we have a picture, but if he's here and see's it, it woudl simple enough to change his looks"

[Kender Bard]

"Hmm, too true," Mary agreed with a nod. "I think it was dreadfully stupid on the part of the guards to let every man and his cousin know who to look for. Surely the man would have figured out he's hunted. Not to mention they're so slow. What are they being paid for if not to stop this sort of thing? Instead of catching the man, we have a second murder now."

[Deleted]

"So it would seem. If is still within Anarlina I don't understand why he hasn't been caught. But if you're right, and he's figured out that he's being hunted now, perhaps he left Anarlina and the task of crossing boarders to hunt a killer is likely more difficult." Leo mused taking a strand of black and red hair into this hand and twirling it in his fingers.

[Kender Bard]

"There, see, common sense right here in court but not with the guards," Mary huffed softly. "Of course, now how are we to protect ourselves? Have you been taking any special measures, sir?"

[Deleted]

"I'm more careful to lock my doors at night. Other than that or learn to defend yourself, I'm not sure there is much we can do. Save for pray they catch him before he strikes again. And you? What are you doing" Leo asked of her.

[Kender Bard]

"I've hired a personal sword for my home," Mary admitted with a touch of pride. "A mercenary if you will, though in truth he's more of a man who once worked for the guards and then decided to pursue a quieter life. A little coin got his hand back on the pommel though."

[Deleted]

"I see." From the sounds of it, he was guessing she was new money. "I'm not sure what I'll do. I know several people who frequent my Inn who have skills in those area's. Perhaps I will make a deal with one of them." Leo said in though.

[Kender Bard]

"You know, sometimes I think mercenaries have a poorer reputation than they deserve," Mary mused. She cocked her head slightly and asked, "You would agree that some do have moral standards, correct? I heard there's even a guild for them in Talen'sul."

[Deleted]

"Most certainly. I've heard of Mercenary's coming all the way from Ilyamen. Had a few stay at my Inn. I believe there might even be a guild for them there as well. The way I figure, everyone's gotta make their money somehow. I run a business, and for some their weapon is the only business skill they have." Leo shrugged. Wonder how you made your money? He was tempted to ask.

[Kender Bard]

Mary tittered quietly. "Why good sir, you don't need to hold your tongue around me," she assured him. "My family was fortunate to come into money when my husband's business took a good turn. He sells glass and glassware you see. We didn't do too poorly in the past but it seems that with the biggest competition being Morilanta and Naurorod, there's a niche to fill and oh my how we fell into it."

[Deleted]

Leo blinked. He hadn't thought try and discover her sign. Still he felt it somewhat rude to just go about reading minds and not give someone the common curtsy to block casual thoughts. BUt she'd taken it well, so he supposed it didn't matter.
"Very well then. That was a very smart move. Well deserved. " He complimented her.